HISTORY OF MADAGASCAR. 
351 
of his staff, carry into execution plans of their own forming 
without the knowledge of the queen. 
The king’s household was composed of male and female 
servants. Those who were the principal domestics, being 
free, served him for honour, without pecuniary remunera¬ 
tion. They were assisted by persons from among the 
Tsiarondahy, a clan of liberated or redeemed slaves of the 
government. These servants were appointed to different 
departments in the economy of the palace; some taking- 
charge of the king’s jewels, clothes, and private property; 
some having the preparation and care of the royal wardrobe; 
while some attended to the king’s table, for which others 
prepared the food. Some of his principal confidential 
male servants were occasionally employed in conveying 
orders to the civil and military officers, from whom they 
also carried back messages to the king. These servants 
were called the officers of the palace. 
The king’s body-guard, when he rode out, consisted of 
about forty or sixty Tsiarondahy, some of whom carried 
loaded guns, others swords, and others spears. Of these a 
number walked before him to clear the road, while the rest 
followed in his train. These, however, were but his ordi¬ 
nary body-guard, while he remained at home. When he 
went out to war, or appeared in a public assembly on the 
martial field, the army of the capital, consisting of three 
thousand men, most of whom were dressed in the British 
uniform, composed his honourable guard, or Tsimandoa, in 
addition to that of the Tsiarondahy. 
An extensive system of internal police was instituted 
by Radama, in 1826, combining the civil and military 
character. The service performed is principally of a civil 
nature. The rank and title of the officers are strictly mili¬ 
tary, consisting of corporals, sergeants, captains, colonels, 
and generals. 
